Warning: the following content relates to crimes of abuse and could be both upsetting and triggering.
A Christian safeguarding provider has responded to an article printed in Private Eye magazine which focused on its involvement in a sexual abuse case.
Christian Safeguarding Services (CSS) was the subject of a feature in the well-known satirical publication following the conviction of Michael Toms, a former deacon at Alexandra Road Congregational Church in Hemel Hempstead.
He was found guilty of one count of rape, six counts of indecent assault, and two counts of indecency with a child. He has since been sentenced to nine years in jail.
Among other things, the Private Eye article stated: “The church consulted CSS, its safeguarding provider, for advice on how to proceed. It says CSS advised that Toms did not need to resign as deacon, a role he had held for 29 years, because the charges were historic. In fact he was made a director of the church this February.
“The church said Toms had maintained a blameless record and had not exhibited any suspicious behaviour since the incidents, which took place between 1979 and 1983. As Paul Harrison [CSS Chief Executive Officer] has previously written: ‘Allegations against leaders must always be considered in the light of the character of the leader and the solemn responsibility that God has placed upon them’.”
In response, a statement from CSS said: “On 21st February 2024, the church contacted the CSS helpline as one of their deacons had made them aware that he was the subject of a police investigation into allegations of serious sexual offences. No details about the allegations were available at that time, but they were believed to have occurred about 40 years ago in another area of the country.
“Given the limited information available, CSS advised the church to make contact with the police investigating officer to seek their advice on any safeguarding measures. This is advice we normally give in such circumstances, as it is only the police who are in possession of the full facts, and it is prudent to have information from an independent source. The police will not divulge information specific to the investigation but will normally advise on any safeguarding action they wish a church to take.
“We advised that the deacon, should not be undertaking any ‘regulated activity’ and the church stated that his present role did not involve any. This, together with the fact that a statutory agency (the police) were already involved, we advised them that there was not a requirement to contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) at that time. They were invited to recontact us if they needed further advice after contacting the police or if there were significant developments in the investigation.
“We were not contacted in April 2024 when the police charged the deacon with a number of serious sexual offences and were unaware that this had occurred. We had no further contact with the church during 2024. The article mentions the appointment of Michael Toms as a director in 2025. We had no knowledge of the appointment and have never been asked for advice on this matter.”
It added: “At no time have Private Eye contacted us about Michael Toms or the contents of their article.”
After approaching Private Eye for comment, en received a letter from law firm Wiggin, sent on behalf of Pressdram Limited, which publishes the magazine. It states that “the account of this matter now provided … by CSS conflicts with the account given to the press by its client Alexandra Road Congregational Church which has said that it consulted CSS as soon as it learned of the charges and was advised that, because they were historic, Toms did not need to stand down …”
It adds: “In any event, CSS does not dispute that, as reported by the Eye: (i) it was informed that a senior church figure was under police investigation for rape and indecent assault against two children; and (ii) it advised that there was no need for him to step aside while the matter was investigated.
“CSS says that it was not asked for advice on Toms’ appointment as a director in 2025: the Eye did not suggest otherwise. It is notable, however, that its advice plainly did not deter the church from later promoting Toms to a position of even greater authority. It is also notable that CSS does not appear to have reflected on whether its advice was appropriate.”
The letter notes that Pressdram stands by its reporting, stating “CSS’s complaint has no merit.”
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this story, help is available via: FearFree Support (www.fearfree.org.uk); the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056 / safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk; The Samaritans helpline - 116 123; The National Association for People Abused in Childhood napac.org.uk.
